Important Monumental Meissen Porcelain Cobalt Ground Mythological Vase, Boucher

Description

An Important Monumental Meissen Porcelain Cobalt Ground Mythological Vase This monumental Meissen porcelain vase, dating to approximately 1870, represents one of the finest examples of the manufactory's nineteenth century revival of eighteenth century French Rococo decoration. Executed on an impressive amphora form with elegant volute handles, the vase is lavishly decorated with a deep cobalt blue ground, Painted with the highest quality paintings of Mythological Scenes on Front and Back, enriched throughout with finely burnished and Matte gold ornament of scrolling acanthus, anthemion, and arabesque motifs executed to an exceptionally high standard. The principal reserve is occupied by an outstanding hand-painted mythological composition depicting Venus embraced by Cupid, surrounded by attendant nymphs and playful putti floating upon luminous clouds. The reverse displays a complementary scene of Venus attended by Cupid and amorini, continuing the allegory of love and beauty. Both compositions are painted with remarkable refinement and are clearly inspired by the celebrated Rococo mythologies of François Boucher, whose idyllic representations of Venus and Cupid became some of the most admired and frequently copied images in European decorative arts during the nineteenth century. The painting throughout is of museum quality, exhibiting extraordinarily subtle transitions of flesh tones, atmospheric cloud effects, and expressive facial modeling that rival contemporary cabinet paintings. The reserves are enclosed within elaborate hand-burnished gilt borders, while the cobalt ground is further embellished with finely executed raised gilt ornament covering the neck, shoulders, body, foot, and scrolling handles. The monumental scale of the vase, the unusually large hand-painted reserves on both sides, the richness of the gilding, and the exceptional artistic execution place this example among the finest decorative vases produced by the Meissen manufactory during the late nineteenth century. Such exhibition-quality mythological vases were created for the most discerning collectors and represent the height of Meissen's mastery of porcelain painting during this period. Dimensions: 19" Height 10" Width 8" Depth

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